CUDAHY, Wis. — An 89-year-old Milwaukee woman is in custody after Cudahy police say she allegedly took off after hitting a 9-year-old girl who was walking to school Tuesday morning.
The family has identified the girl as Lenci Lambert, and she was struck by the driver around 8 a.m. near the intersection of E. Ramsey Avenue and S. Swift Avenue, according to police.
Watch: Brendyn Jones at the scene where 9-year-old girl was hurt in hit-and-run crash:
She was taken to the hospital for her injuries. Her family says she is awake and suffered a concussion. A sigh of relief for the family.
"I was scared, I was kind of upset, I was like, who did this? Who did this?" Said Lenci's cousin, Trinity. She was there shortly after it happened. "I was trying to hold back from crying cause I knew that wouldn’t help her, so I just stayed strong and stayed positive."
Police say officers later located the woman and her vehicle, and that she was taken into custody for hit-and-run causing injury.
Criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, according to police.
Family says the intersection can often see speeding and reckless driving.
"In the twenty years' time that I've lived on this corner, I’ve seen countless cars blow this stop sign because of their conditions," said Jumoka Johnson, Lambert's uncle.
He says those conditions include harsh sunlight as the sun rises in early morning hours, as drivers head east.
TMJ4 reached out to Cudahy's Mayor, Ken Jankowski, to ask about the intersection.
Jankowski expressed his sadness over the incident and wished Lambert a speedy recovery.
In the email, Jankowski wrote, "In speaking with the Cudahy Police Dept, we have not had any complaints in that intersection in the recent past."
He pointed out that the intersection is a four-way stop, school zone speed limit signs are posted, the crosswalks are painted, and there is a crossing guard on duty.
He told TMJ4 that he was told speed was not a factor in this incident.
"I am also told the driver was an elderly woman who disregarded or was not aware of all those visual cue's including the crossing guard that was assisting the student cross the street," Jankowski wrote.
The family still hopes this incident sparks some change at the intersection.
"Either put a stop light here, or put more cops here to address the people blowing the stop sign, make some change It doesn’t have to be drastic, immediate, but something," Johnson said.
Cudahy School District Statement Regarding Student Incident
“Our thoughts are with the student and their family during this difficult time,” said Dr. Michelle Garven, superintendent of the School District of Cudahy, in a released statement. “The safety and well-being of our students is always our highest priority. We are working closely with law enforcement and offering support to all students and staff who may need it.”
The district said school counselors and support staff are available at J.E. Jones Elementary, where the child attends school, to provide emotional support to students and staff affected by the event. Families who feel their child may need to speak with someone are encouraged to contact the school.
This investigation into the crash is ongoing.
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